Stainless steel exhaust systems

[EMA7K]

Fit a stainless steel exhaust system and it will last for life? Mine has just gone after 17 years. Is that 'life'. Assuming most people don't keep cars for more than a few years what can we assume is a good life span for a stainless system fitted to an Elan that does 2-3000 miles a year and is kept in a dry garage?


Gareth

Elan Sprint (EMA) -blowing exhaust
Zetec +2

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Hi Gareth,

For todays modern cars the average life expectancy is around 10 years or a little bit more.
Stainless steel is pretty good against corrosion but not necessarily the best with fatigue.
After 17 years I expect that the company that made your system no longer exists anyway, at least that's usually the case these days
What part of the exhaust system has let go & how?
Just out of interest.

Oh & yes welcome
Cheers
John

[EMA7K]

John

It's gone at the back of the silencer box. Not serious. Just makes a farting sound at low speed. Can't notice it at speeds over 40. Guess it has been good value. Time for another. If the next one lasts 17 years then i'll be over 70 and probably wont be able to get in or out of the car without artificial aids!

Gareth

[Frank Howard]

If the next one lasts 17 years then i'll be over 70 and probably wont be able to get in or out of the car without artificial aids!

Gareth,

If you do manage to get into the car, the silencer should be completely shot by then and you might be able to barely hear the engine.

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

John

It's gone at the back of the silencer box. Not serious. Just makes a farting sound at low speed.

Gareth

Why not buy a Dog & convince everybody that it's him

Must rush, the Taxi's waiting
John

[CBUEB1771]

It's gone at the back of the silencer box.

Gareth - Has the system failed in the vicinity of a weld? Often times non-aerospace welders will clean the weld area with a carbon steel wire brush, or use a welding rod or wire of inferior specification to that of the parent material. In either case the weld area will be contaminated and will not last as long as the remainder of the system. When I say non-aerospace welder I euphemistically mean someone who has to push the job out the door fast. John is right about the dog, why do you think Beau is out in Gary's Elan so often?

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

I doubt if Gary's cars exhaust system is anything but perfect so it's probably an excuse for the smell

Exits stage left; very quickly
John

[EMA7K]

I do have a dog (labrador) but she does not like travelling in cars-even when its a Lotus.
Car now booked into PM at end of month for some TLC/MOT/Exhaust

Gareth

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

I do have a dog (labrador) but she does not like travelling in cars-even when its a Lotus.
Car now booked into PM at end of month for some TLC/MOT/Exhaust

Gareth

I think I know what you mean.
I once had a cat that liked mooching around inside the car.
Start the engine then all Hell breaks out; fur standing out, claws everywhere & cat trveling at "Warp speed" trying to find an exit.
Even ducking out of the way doesn't help, those claws make multiple contact without fail.

Hope your wallet survives the PM visit.
John

[Lincoln62]

I had my stainless system made in 1988 and it is still going fine. It was even ripped off by a speed hump about 10 years ago which dented the muffler but it went straight back on with no dramas. It cost me about 1.5 times the cost of a mild steel system so it has been a really good investment.

I found in the past that a muffler will stay together for the short trips around town then when you go on a trip it gets hotter than normal and has to deal with more gas flow and that's when it is likely to blow out. When you are a long way from home that's the last thing you want to happen.

I am a stainless convert but they do need to be hung properly with flexible rubber mounts to minimize vibration as the stainless is more brittle and will crack if subject to too much vibration. They can also transfer unwanted noise/vibration if the mountings are to stiff.

Pete
66S2